5-year-old Iraqi boy's surgery delayed

The open-heart surgery for a 5-year-old Iraqi boy has been delayed until today, according to a spokeswoman for a Charleston, S.C., hospital. The life-threatening plight of Ammar Muhammad was discovered by Marine Maj. Kevin Jarrard of Gainesville, who with the help of his fellow Marines arranged free care at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Kathleen Ellis, a spokeswoman for the university, said Ammar had two ...

Chilly worries: Growers fear Monday frost could destroy apple blossoms, grape buds, baby peaches

It is the kind of weather where a degree or two can mean the difference between a successful year and total ruin.

Hall County may drug test students who drive to school

The Hall County Board of Education is looking at expanding mandatory, random drug testing to include students who drive to school as early as the fall.

Dogs with curly tails, cute smiles get awards at annual Stray Dog Strut

More than 150 pooches strutted their stuff Sunday afternoon for The Humane Society of Hall County's 17th annual Stray Dog Strut. Held at Lake Lanier Islands, the event benefited abandoned or needy animals and included a 5K run and a 1-mile fun run for dogs and owners.

April showers of snow? Rain, ice mix on today’s forecast

Near freezing temperatures could mean snow flurries for Northeast Georgia early today. National Weather Service meteorologists are calling for a 38-degree low for today and a high of only 53 degrees. Frigid temperatures come on the heels of a warm weekend with highs in the upper 60s.

Hall County officials review budget requests

BY JESSICA JORDAN jjordan@gainesvilletimes.com Hall County finance officials began reviewing department heads' budget requests for the upcoming year on Monday. The county is calling for a flat budget of $94.6 million for fiscal year 2009 in an effort to maintain property tax rates. Projections of little or no revenue growth in the upcoming year are hindering rising operational costs for each department. As ...

Health Care Decisions Day: A time to write down your final wishes

In the old days, you didn't have to explain to anyone how you wanted to die. When your time came, you stopped breathing and that was it. But with modern medical technology, a person can be kept alive almost indefinitely with no hope of recovery. And doctors will continue to maintain that life unless they're instructed otherwise.

Gainesville post office won't stay open today for late income tax filers

It once was the time for pots of black coffee, lots of sharpened pencils and a trusty adding machine.

New director takes charge of Hall County sewer project

Sewer is a dirty business, but a lucrative one. Now that Hall County is armed with new Public Works and Utilities Director Ken Rearden and his 35 years of experience in wastewater utilities, the county is ready to explore the possibility of creating its own public utilities department.

5K race benefits Friends of Recovery

The drizzle on Saturday morning didn't keep dozens of runners from taking part in the inaugural Run For Recovery 5K put on by local attorneys.

Many forced to cut corners to fill up gas tank

Record gas prices haven't pushed Hall Countians to adopt drastic routine changes, but some have resorted to logging time behind the wheel in a more gas-efficient ride to conserve spending.

Fuel costs are determined far from Gainesville

Gainesville motorists are paying about $3.35 per gallon for gasoline, but who's to blame?

Lake Lanier makes way for the Canadians

The first signs of preparation for the upcoming Canadian canoe/kayak Olympic Team Trials were taking shape Saturday at the Lake Lanier's Clarks Bridge rowing venue, as course builders pressure-washed buoys and laid down steel cables for the upcoming May 3-4 event.

This is only a test of the emergency response team

It may have looked like the scene of a terrible tragedy, but it was only practice if the real thing ever happens.

Pumped up: Surging fuel prices trickle down to form higher costs for just about everything

When gasoline prices first began to climb about three years ago, people were mainly concerned about the cost of driving. They compensated by eliminating unnecessary trips or switching to more fuel-efficient cars.

Probable cause hearing set for slaying suspect

A probable cause hearing is set for later this month after a Gainesville man made his first appearance Tuesday in Hall County Magistrate Court on murder charges.

Motion denied, trial date set in 2012 boating deaths

A Hall County Superior Court judge Tuesday denied a motion to dismiss the case against Paul Bennett, who is charged with eight counts of homicide by vessel in a Lake Lanier accident that killed two Buford boys.

Gainesville City Council faces more opposition to at-large voting at meeting

Gainesville has an ugly history of discrimination and the city's at-large voting system is violating the federal Voting Rights Act, a speaker said at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Hall County's tax digest drops

Hall County's 2013 final tax digest is down 1.51 percent from last year, according to final numbers from the Tax Commissioner's office, making the county's 2014 proposed budget short by $560,000.

Class Notes: Gainesville City Schools hosting meal program

Deal ‘ready to spend’ state funds to deepen harbor

Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he's willing to use state money to start deepening the Port of Savannah's busy shipping channel without waiting for funding from Washington as long as the federal government promises to pay its share of the $652 million project later.

Blood drive to honor disaster victims

The Hall County Sheriff's Office is teaming up with the North Georgia Detention Center and the American Red Cross to host a blood drive to honor victims of natural disasters both close to home and hundreds of miles away.

Suspect charged with murder in fatal shooting

A man was shot and killed Monday evening in the parking lot outside the Peppers Market off E.E. Butler Parkway in Gainesville.

Flowery Branch named fastest growing city in Hall County

Flowery Branch is Hall County's fastest-growing city, expanding 2.7 percent between July 2011 and July 2012, according to recently released census statistics.

An eXtreme eXperience: Summer camps focus on career offerings

"Do you feel nourished?" That's what rising seventh-grader Christina Antoci asked Adrianna Silva after wiping toner from her face Monday.

The Local Agenda: Gainesville City Council has full agenda

City Council members are scheduled to consider several items at their meeting this evening. On the agenda are raising city water and sewer prices, adopting a West Gainesville-Hall County opportunity zone, setting the 2014 property tax rate for the Gainesville Board of Education and changing the ordinance on annexations initiated by the city.

Taxi driver shot in hand during fight

A Gainesville man was charged with using a gun with a filed-off identification number after a man was shot in the hand outside the J&J Foods on Jesse Jewell Parkway just before midnight Saturday.

Kitchen Inspections for April 12-17

April 12

Hot weather health tips

Here are some tips to help you deal with the summer heat wave.

Winter weather tips

Braving winter weather